Urban Planning Stories

Australian Stories

Urban Planning stories

Austroads issues guidance linking road design & safety

The new framework aims to stop safety being considered too late by keeping design, traffic and planning decisions aligned from the outset.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Today

Supply Chain

It took a four-decade runway to get off the ground

Passengers will begin using Sydney's long-delayed second airport next month, despite a shortage of hotel beds and a metro line not due until 2027.

By Mike Bishara • 6 min read • 5 days ago

Global Stories

Urban Planning stories

Local Government

Why Hamilton has so many speed bumps

Safety gains from raised road platforms in Hamilton are outweighing complaints, as councils review costly fixes for faulty installations.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • 3 days ago

DataCentre infrastructure

Managing energy, water constraints critical to Australia's AI ambitions

Policy should focus on technology inside new data centres, as an expert says smarter regulation could curb power and water strain while supporting AI growth.

By David Shilovsky • 5 min read • 4 days ago

Edge Computing

The Aussie AI Data Centre debate: profit, power & public trust

Australia's AI boom could add GBP £58 billion, but energy shortages, bubble fears and local backlash are clouding the data centre rush.

By Anthony Caruana • 9 min read • 4 days ago

Smart Cities

Singapore safety show launches smart cities initiative

The programme targets buyers seeking integrated urban systems as Asia's cities race to link safety, data and emergency response.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • 4 days ago

Artificial Intelligence

Infrastructure communications failures are putting major projects at risk

Poor public understanding can derail even fully funded projects if support, trust and political backing fail to keep pace with the build.

By Mark Devlin • 5 min read • 5 days ago

Stories from Other Regions

Urban Planning stories

Auckland Transport

ACT promises to axe millions in roadside art spending

Motorists could be spared millions in roadside sculptures and monuments, with funding redirected to road building under ACT's transport policy.

By RNZ • 3 min read • Yesterday

Local Government

Spatial planning could impose high costs on small North Canterbury councils

Ratepayers in Kaikōura and Hurunui may face increases to cover Canterbury's spatial plan, with costs running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Yesterday

Urban Planning

Planes could spook horses if new racecourse built, aero club warns

Council plans for a $77.3 million racecourse in Flaxmere have drawn warnings that low-flying aircraft could spook horses and trigger noise disputes.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • Yesterday

Small Business

Boulders blamed for increase in illegal parking

Footpath parking has surged in Ōpōtiki after six spaces were removed from Church Street, prompting complaints from struggling retailers.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 4 min read • 2 days ago

Digital Transformation

PlanningMapsUK launches online mapping for planning

Homeowners and planning professionals can now generate licensed Ordnance Survey plans online, cutting delays in preparing applications.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • 3 days ago

Risk & Compliance

Heat on senior staff as councillors pick apart landslide failures

Council chiefs faced intense scrutiny after a review said six deaths in the Mount Maunganui landslide were preventable, with inquiries still under way.

By Local Democracy Reporter • 5 min read • 3 days ago